The US Department of Veterans Affairs has amended provider regulations to permit three roles of VA advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to practice to the full extent of their education, training, and certification.
This granting applies to certified nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, and certified nurse midwives only. Certified registered nurse anesthetists are not included under this final rule at this time.
Under the new regulations, APRNs are allowed to practice to their full authority regardless of state restrictions that limit such practice, as long as they are acting within the scope of their VA employment. In addition, all VA APRNs are required to obtain and maintain current national certification, explains a media release from the VA.
“Advanced practice registered nurses are valuable members of VA’s health care system,” says VA Under Secretary for Health Dr David J. Shulkin, in the release. “Amending this regulation increases our capacity to provide timely, efficient, effective and safe primary care, aids VA in making the most efficient use of APRN staff capabilities, and provides a degree of much needed experience to alleviate the current access challenges that are affecting VA.”
“Though CRNAs will not be included in VA’s full practice authority under this final rule, we are requesting comments on whether there are access issues or other unconsidered circumstances that might warrant their inclusion in a future rulemaking. In the meantime, we owe it to Veterans to increase access to care in areas where we know we have immediate and broad access challenges,” Shulkin adds.
[Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs]